Thumbs Up: To helping those most in need in our community

Friday

Nov 16, 2018 at 10:15 AMNov 16, 2018 at 12:41 PM

The editorial board of The State Journal-Register offers this week's Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down:

Thumbs Up: To CWLP's Project RELIEF program.

The annual program helps City Water, Light and Power customers who need help paying their utility bill. Now in its 34th year, the program collects donations from mainly CWLP customers who add $1 or more to their monthly bill, along with city employee payroll contributions, according to a news release from the city. It raises about $20,000 a year.

Those who need to apply for assistance should call the CWLP Project RELIEF Office at 789-2414 on or after Dec. 3. Residents who want to donate can do so at www.cwlp.com/ServicesHome/ServicesInformation/ProjectRelief.aspx, use the form provided in the October bill mailing or make a one-time contribution.

As the temperatures drop and utility bills increase, those struggling to make ends meet may worry they won’t be able to pay for the heat needed to keep their families warm. This program, which thrives on the generosity of city employees and residents, aims to ease that concern. It’s a true case of neighbors looking out for each other.

Thumbs Up: To the city of Springfield’s new approach to combating local homelessness.

A group of Springfield social service agencies called the Heartland Continuum of Care unveiled Tuesday the crisis response system. The new approach will require the agencies — as well as law enforcement, health care providers, local government and other community partners — to focus and coordinate with each other on five components: “coordinated entry,” emergency shelter, prevention and diversion, outreach, and permanent and transitional housing. All five components have task forces staffed by continuum members and local organizations.

The goal of the new approach is for the various entities that work with the homeless to work together so people who need to be housed can move from “resource to resource seamlessly,” according to Erica Smith, executive director of Helping Hands shelter.

If there were a simple solution to homelessness, it wouldn’t be a problem. Addressing it requires a multi-pronged approach. We look forward to seeing real results — which means help for those most in need in our community — as this new approach is implemented. Learn more at www.heartlandcontinuum.com.

Thumbs Up: To Lincoln Land Community College for its new online map to “green” resources in Springfield.

The Sustain Springfield Green Map is an interactive, GIS-based map that guides the viewer to sustainable or environmentally-friendly services, sites and amenities, according to a news release from LLCC. It is available at www.llcc.edu/sustain-springfield. It includes everything from charging stations to community gardens to recycling centers.

More and more people are seeking ways to reuse or recycle items they no longer need, or reduce the impact they have on the Earth and its limited resources. Compiling information in one place that will help area residents practice those Three R’s is a nice perk for the region.

Thanks to the LLCC Green Center, which is hosting the map. The Urban Action Network designed and developed the conceptual framework along with environmental specialist Wynne Coplea. A grant to the Urban Action Network from the Dominican Sisters of Springfield made the map possible.

Thumbs Up: To the outgoing and incoming governor for agreeing to celebrate the state’s birthday together.

On Dec. 3, Illinois will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the day the Land of Lincoln became the nation’s 21st state. Gov. Bruce Rauner and Governor-elect J.B. Pritzker have committed to making a joint appearance at the bicentennial party planned for that day in Chicago.

The campaign to win the governor’s race was long and often mean-spirited as the two slung all manner of insults and accusations. We’ve unfortunately come to expect that in politics.

What we don’t often see in the aftermath is two opponents putting their differences aside and coming together to celebrate a moment truly worth noting — in this case, 200 years of Illinois history.

In the grander scheme of things, it’s a small gesture. But it’s one we would like to see more of in politics.

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